Formulas and Cheat Sheets

Writing Linear EquationsGiven Slope and a Point

When you are given a real world problem that must be solved, you could be given numerous aspects of the equation. If you are given
slope and the y-intercept, then you have it made.

You have all the information you need, and you can create your graph or write an equation in slope intercept form very easily.

However, most times it's not that easy and we are forced to really understand the problem and decipher what we are given. It could be slope and the y-intercept, but it could also be slope and one point or it could be just two points.

If you are given slope and a point, then it becomes a little trickier to write an equation. Although you have the slope, you need the y-intercept.

You have enough information to find the y-intercept, but it requires a few more steps. Let's look at an example.

Example 1

That was a little tougher only because we needed to add the extra step of finding the y-intercept. Since you are so awesome at solving equations, I'm sure this wasn't too painful.

Now let's look at a real world applications of this skill. Here you will have to read the problem and figure out the slope and the point that is given. The slope is going to be your "rate" and the point will be two numbers that are related in some way.

Example 2

Ok, so if you are given slope and a point, then you need to substitute for m (slope), x, and y and then solve for b! Once you have m (slope) and b (y-intercept), you can write an equation in slope intercept form.

Now you are ready to solve real world problems given two points. It's not the hard - I promise.

Follow Algebra-Class

Recommend Algebra Class

Algebra Class E-course Members

Search This Site

Custom Search

Algebra Class Tools

Algebra Class Courses

Algebra Class
Most Popular Pages

What People Are Saying...

"I'd like to start off by relaying my sincerest gratitude for your dedication in teaching algebra. Your methodology is by far the simplest to follow, primarily because you take the time to include the small steps in between that most other teachers leave out.

It helps to know why you are doing something. I am 45 and heading to college to get my BS in Business. I need to brush up, hence the visit to your site. Great Job!"

Jimmy - United States

"I stumbled onto your site after I found out that I needed to use some fundamental algebra for an assignment. Turns out I had forgotten some things and your great site helped me remember them like "that" (snap of fingers). The organization of the site let me find exactly what I was looking for so easily. Kudos to you for maintaining such a great resource for students of all ages!"

Tom - United States

"I just wanted to write and basically thank you for making such a wonderful website! I'm 20 years old and about to take a basic placement test for college. I wanted to brush up on my Algebra skills and I stumbled upon your site. I'm amazed at how simple you make it and how fast I'm remembering Algebra! I don't remember getting most of the answers right when I had an actual teacher in front of me teaching this. Thanks a lot!"

Elizabeth - United States

"I am a pensioner living in South Africa. I stumbled on your website, the best thing that could ever happen to me! Your course in Algebra has helped me a lot to better understand the different concepts. Thank you very much for sharing your skills for teaching math to even people like me. Please do not stop, as I am sure that your teachings have helped thousands of people like me all over the world."

Noel - South Africa

This is an amazing program. In one weekend I used it to teach my Grade 9 daughter most of the introductory topics in Linear Relations. I took her up to Rate of Change and now she can do her homework by herself.